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Family Sins Duet #1

Son of a Sinner

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There is a fine line between love and obsession.


Wilder
But I cross lines, blur them until they can’t be seen. Being demisexual, I don’t fall easily. Penn is the exception. The manifestation of my dream man.

The problem? Penn is my father. A shock to both of us, he’s determined to keep me at arm’s length. But can either of us fight this temptation?


Penn
I can’t… I shouldn’t have… But I did... And then I did it again. It seems I can’t stop. Wilder is all that I want, all that I need. How can I reconcile my guilt with my desire for him?

My conscience won’t let me touch him again, but walking away is not an option. I’m committed to keeping Wilder in my life… but do I want a son or a lover?

ebook

Published March 16, 2023

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Raquel Riley

25 books209 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
Profile Image for Lilly [Hiatus due to School] .
938 reviews380 followers
March 14, 2023
Son of a Sinner is a taboo incest story. It is a duet so the first part ends with a cliffhanger.

We have Penn (40), who has always wanted to be a father, but when his wife divorces him, he feels like that part of his life is over. However, years later, he gets the chance to foster and adopt a teen named Wilder (16 at the start but 18 by the end of the novella). Wilder has been alone since birth and shuffled around through the system. However, he soon finds that Penn is not like the previous foster parents he's lived with. He cares for him and ensures he is safe, and soon he lets his guard down as feelings of a taboo nature develop between them.

I found Penn and Wilder's relationship to be cute and liked seeing how they grew comfortable with one another. I also liked seeing Wilder become comfortable and trusting towards Penn. Penn ensured to give in the life he deserved while ensuring a promising future. However, feelings get complicated, especially as Wilder starts to see his foster parent as more than just a parent. The relationship dynamic is heavily tipped as Wilder grew up unloved and not knowing what a healthy relationship is. Also there's a moment in which Penn does seek out others in order to not give into Wilder's advances.

I liked the Daddy/boy elements. Wilder did not have a childhood, and while there is no age play, he wants to be taken care of and spoiled, and Penn is ready to fill those needs. It is a pretty predictable story but a well-written short taboo story. The story ends with a cliffhanger but I'm excited to read what's next.
Profile Image for Janet (iamltr).
1,196 reviews72 followers
March 6, 2023
Due to the nature of this book, I am going to start off with a disclaimer. This *cest book features a man who was 40 when he brought a 16 year old boy into his home to be fostered. Technically, the dad waited until the exact moment he turned 18, but more details about that later.

Spoilers ahead, be warned.

Ok so in here we have Penn. Who starts off the book being 40, single, and he has baby fever. He is also divorced after his wife told him she did not want his kids and was having an affair. Soon after seeing his sister has adopted a kid (the baby was one already, does no one in this family talk?), he decides to become a foster parent and vows to change his life to make it happen. And he does, he stops drinking, hooking up, and all that jazz.

First he gets a baby with special needs. That lasted a few weeks. Then he got a couple of kids that lasted a few days. Then Wilder shows up on his doorstep.

Wilder is 16 and very small. He has never known love, just basic care from being in the system. He also thinks and talks like an old man. That part gets better about mid way through, as it seems like the writer finally remembered that he was a teen.

Penn probably wasn’t that old, but compared to me, wasn’t everyone? He hadn’t ridiculed me once for not knowing something.


These two immediately bond. I understand that Wilder is just clinging onto the first person who showed any caring and Penn needed to be needed. If this was expanded on and made to be the basis of this hookup, then this review would not be this long.

Their first shopping trip had Penn taking Wilder to the personal section to get lube and condoms. Wilder is 16 and its his second day with Penn. I think it was supposed to be funny, but it did not hit the mark.

Wilder looked mortified, face flaming, fingers drumming furiously against his thigh. I casually strode over to the lube section and plucked two bottles from the shelf. I hadn’t been sexually active since I quit drinking over a year ago, but it was necessary when you were in a committed relationship with your right hand. I figured at his age, Wilder could use some too. When he saw what I grabbed, he actually left me standing alone in the aisle. Teenagers.


Time skips ahead and Wilder is now 17 and there are sudden non parental feelings toward Wilder and Wilder is horny for Penn. Wilder's feelings were understandable, he was with someone who treated him like a grown up and did not neglect him (yet) but there was no excuse for a 41 year old man to be wanting to sex up the child he brought into his home.

Lets get one thing straight. *Cest works when both people are of age and of sound mind. Consent means a lot yes, but the power dynamic kind of means more. What do I mean with that statement? Penn had total control over the teen he had in his house. Wilder was going to high school, Penn never seemed to ever work, but lets assume he does. He controls the home, the money, and more importantly, he controls the feelings/emotions toward the kid. If, lets say, Wilder was at college, living on his own, and able to make decisions, this would have been different.

Being a horny teen, Wilder pushes and pushes his wants toward Penn. Does Penn ever sit down and talk about it? Nope. He decides to go on a date and get his wingdinger sucked. So if you have issues with any mc doing anything sexual on page with another person not the other mc, then here is a heads up about that. After that disastrous date and crying himself to sleep on Wilder (yes, these two sleep in the same bed while he is underaged), Penn decides to punish the child who has never had affection by withholding it for 13 days.

THE SILENT TREATMENT lasted thirteen more days , until I woke up Saturday morning, legally an adult.


Gee, I wonder why it was now ok to speak to a teen who just turned 18? That is bad but it gets worse. Penn takes Wilder out for the day (and lets talk about the fact that Penn puts out podcasts for a living. How much money is he bringing in? He has a home, car, unlimited spending money...) and eventually end up at a Mexican restaurant where they both get drunk. Yes, Penn let an underaged teen get drunk in public and then was so drunk Wilder had to drive home. Penn throws up in the bushes and they make it inside to the bed where of course now it is time for the sexing up.

Not once did this grown man have a talk about his feelings, the sex, absolutely nothing to Wilder. He was the one who should have been explaining everything, helping Wilder, anything, but nope. It was all about the sex. I wanted to stop this at 62% which is where this scene started. But I wanted to review this so I kept going until the end.

This is a cliffhanger ending and Penn is upset but not because he could have harmed Wilder, but because he did this to himself. And I will spoil the ending,

I am not sure if I will read the second part of this. If I had felt that Penn had one iota of caring for Wilder, this would have been so much different. At one point, like the second day Wilder was there, they had a talk about being gay and how a good guy takes care of his partner but when Wilder asks Penn if he was a good guy, he admitted that he never was.

And it is true, he is not a good guy.
Profile Image for Ed Davis.
2,646 reviews96 followers
December 10, 2023
This was ok. I wasn’t bothered by the taboo subject, but I just didn’t care for the Daddy/boy kink. I’ve already got it so I’ll probably read the second part.
Profile Image for NicoleR.M.M..
627 reviews148 followers
March 18, 2023
2,5 stars
I wasn't impressed by this short read. I honestly expected more, but maybe that's where I went wrong. It's this author's first attempt to write taboo, and I'm not really thrilled about it. It's got nothing to do with the taboo aspect; I knew what I was signing up for. But I've read taboo before and I have to admit that they were way better than this book (Nicky James does an excellent job at writing mm taboo).

I didn't care much for Penn, nor Wilder. On the contrary, I found both characters a little annoying. I didn't like that Penn, when he was given a baby to care for, just returned him because things were a lot harder than he thought they would be. That doesn't make sense when he's a man who's wanted to be a parent for as long as he wanted it! And we're talking about a baby, a human being. They can't be turned in like you bought something at Wall Mart that didn't meet up to your expectations.
But that's not my only complaint about this book. There were several reasons why this didn't work for me. The way Penn was with Wilder, trying to resist the attraction, but then giving in right when the boy turned eighteen didn't sit well with me. Not the giving in, but the way it happened. I just didn't like the dynamics between those two characters.

I won't be reading the second book in this series because I'm not intrigued enough to want to know how things continue.
May 18, 2023
What if you fall for someone but you shouldn't have?

5 stars⭐ Read if you dare the forbidden!
A contemporary highly taboo (Father/son incest) romance story with sadness, fostering, hope, ice creams, books & shopping, movie nights, fun, flirty, 1st times, kinks & omg cliffhanger! This is more of a slowburn & getting to know eachother, and then the steam 🔥. Part 1 of 2, highly recommend getting part 2. I devoured this in 3hrs!

"It was a battle I had to win, because it was so worthwhile. He was worthwhile."

Penn has always wanted to be a father, years after his divorce, he has lost hope. But at 40, hope renews: he'll foster. Be the best dad.
Wilder has been moving foster to foster, no permanent home. He'd never thought he'll have a home, until at 16, Penn becomes his Foster dad. W's panic attacks 😭.

"No one had ever wanted me before. Nobody had ever fought to keep me. Until Penn."

With patient & kindness, Penn broke the walls of Smart, snarky & cutely manipulative Wilder. Years of platonic guardian-friendship, but Wild wants so much more...& At 18, he'll get what he wants. Penn, as his lover.

"I wasn’t naïve enough to think he was perfect, nobody was, but he was perfect for me."

I loved P+W's talk of sexualities & gay fantasy, while P is Bi, W is shown to be demisexual (never labeled). W's flirting was fun to see. At times, the story got emotional & stole my heart! P's lucky, working from home.

Penn wanted to take the high road, resist Wilder, but how? Their worlds revolve around eachother. Can't hurt Wild. The daddy kink & use of sex toys we got at end is so hot. It is just starting & there's so much more of it in Part 2.

"...he owned me, every part of me."

And that cliffhanger, omg! A school bio project about bloodlines threaten it all. Are Penn & Wilder actual Father/son? How?
My 1st book by Raquel, I'll definitely be reading more. Now onto part 2!

DUET REVIEW + RATING:

1) Main Character(s) likeness: 5/5
2) Side characters: 4.5/5
3) Top 3 feels in story: Omg yes, Hottt, Aww
4) Kept me hooked / Story flow: 5/5
5) Satisfaction / Enjoyment: 5/5
6) Creativity / twists: 4/5
7) World development: 4.5/5 (good for novellas!)
8) Relationship: 4.8/5
9) Problems+Resolution: 4/5
10) Sexy / steamy scenes: 4/5 (more in #2)
11) Cuteness level: 3/5
12) Angst level: 2.5/5
13) Darkness level: 1/5
14) POV / Writing style: 1st person Dual POV, 4.6/5
15) Grammar: 5/5

I found this duet novellas (& author) via bookstagram as I'm always looking for good taboo romances. I'd Immediately grabbed Book 1 while Book 2, I asked the author for an ARC (I couldn't wait till release lol) & She gave it to me!!! I'm so thankful!! I binged read them (Book 2 is longer than 1). A great combo of kink & romance.

I've come so far in my love of Forbidden Romance, I don't even hesitate these days 😆.

Our main characters are Penn (older, kind, patient) & Wilder (teen, smart, headstrong). Their interactions are so fun!

We spend years with these two. The start, change & surprise truths. How they navigate their Age-Gap (20+ yrs), incestuous (father-son) relationship. And what if someone discovers the truth?! OMFG!

I loved Penn & Wild's sweet relationship. Some angst. Good pacing. Cute. Love (& making friends). The steam? Hottt!! Especially the 2nd book 🔥🔥 (Wild's 18 when sexual things happen). Daddy/boy role play, Belt play, Food play, Spankings (& etc)!
Overall, the story is enjoyable with a lovely HEA. A #MustRead if you love this genre!

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Profile Image for Drusilla.
751 reviews260 followers
May 13, 2023
My heart bled for Wilder all the time, it was all so sad, he was so fragile and it was so wonderful how Penn took care of him.

I was being a shit, as usual, pushing buttons, creating tension. It ensured people gave up on me before they even had a chance to disappoint me.
Because they eventually would.
They always did.
😭

Penn tries to do everything to make Wilder happy, so far I liked him. Everything else about this character bothered me in the first part of this story. Looking at the past, Wilder is the more adult of the two here, and that's slightly odd. With Penn, it seems like he's just lived most of his life dragging his feet. Not to mention the ex-wife. I still wonder how Wilder came to be.
Wilder is smart, snarky, cute and manipulative - just perfect.
And then at some point Penn gives in and ... oh so sizzling hot

Tasting Wild’s tongue for the first time, so warm and sweet, swallowing his moan, sparked a desire so swift and strong inside me. I was convinced nothing had ever felt so right. 😳

I like the Daddy-kink that develops in such an undesigned way.

„Daddy’s gonna touch you here.” I circled his hole, feeling his muscles twitch in anticipation of my touch.
“You’re so smooth and pink, just like little boys should be.”
“Fuck,” Wilder cursed, my words driving him crazy.“
🥵
Profile Image for Nedra81 .
805 reviews
March 5, 2023
Raquel continues to amaze me with her literary talent! Even if she ended this one on a slight cliffhanger that holds a tremendous amount of sway, the reader doesn't feel like they are left hanging. And, even though this is a novella, we were still able to grasp the emotions of the characters, such as loneliness and need for affection.

“𝒥𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒷𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓂𝑒. 𝐼’𝓋𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊.”

Penn and Wild have an undeniable connection and chemistry right from the beginning, which only increases with their time together. I became so engrossed with the story, that I barely realized their intimacy hadn't begun until after Wild’s 18th birthday. Their scenes were so gentle and sensual that the taboo element wasn't even a priority.

I commend Raquel on her ability to leave me on a cliffhanger without feeling any type of hostility toward her, just anticipation of the next addition!
Profile Image for Lori.
255 reviews20 followers
March 16, 2023
Wow, what a great start to this story. I was completely captivated and read in one sitting, couldn't put it down. Such great writing, really felt Penn's emotions, especially in the beginning, my heart broke for him. Seeing Wilders walls break down and let Penn in and become family was so special. Seeing them start to want more from each other as the years go was even more special. Now, with the revelation that Penn might be Wilders really farther, I'm left on the edge of my seat, wanting more. Can't wait for the next book, def recommend!
Profile Image for D.L. Howe.
Author 24 books570 followers
May 6, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This was a cute little palette cleanser.

Penn has been at a crossroads for most of his life. One thing he knows he’s always wanted is a child. He thought he’d have that with his wife until she asked for a divorce.

Years later he has an epiphany about fostering to adopting. He fosters a baby and a pair of young twins before Wilder comes into his life. He quickly realizes this sixteen year old boy is everything he’s been looking for and they create the sweetest father/son relationship.

After a few years lines begin to blur big time for Wild and he wants so much more than a familiar platonic relationship with Penn. He wants him and we soon discover that maybe Penn does too.

Forewarning, this one ends in a cliffhanger but rest assured the conclusion will be put in mere weeks.
Profile Image for My Dark Romance.
376 reviews62 followers
March 17, 2023
Taboo father/son novella. This is not for everyone!!!

Pen has always wanted to be a father but life hasn’t worked out quite as he expected. After finding out about fostering , he sign on for it and takes in small foster children temporarily
but as much as he enjoys caring for them, it isn’t the right fit for him.

Wilder comes to live with Penn. Wilder is a 16 year old kid who’s been bouncing around in the system, never finding a place to land.

They quickly become tight. Pen enjoying caring for Wild showing him that he is worth loving. And Wild finally feels like he has a home. A parent. They are great at communication and their daily routine makes them both happy and content.

Penn is bisexual and after Wild confesses to being gay, he pushes Penn over the next two years to help him understand his sexuality, which Penn does in a patient guiding way. But at the same time as he fights his urges to help Wild beyond what is acceptable…. and slowly Daddy Pen surfaces.

This book is of the taboo kind, where something wholesome turns into something lustful and forbidden. It is not for
everyone so really decide of it is for you before reading.

🔘 MM Taboo
🔘 Father/son
🔘 Age-gab
🔘 Forbidden desire
🔘 Toy play
🔘 (incest?)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book ends on a cliffhanger ✔️
Book two is out may 18th ✔️
Only available on Smashwords ✔️
Profile Image for True Loveislovereview.
2,672 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2023
3.5 stars Penn can’t say no, he wants to make Wilder’s life better, and give him everything he desires.
Now two years after Wilder entered Penn’s life as a sixteen-year-old teenager he still gets what he wants, except for one thing, that’s not possible or going to happen.
Penn is determined to keep a line between them, a line not to cross.

Wilder is a sweet boy who finally can stay with a foster parent, Penn is the kindest man alive, and wants to be his father.

Wilder thinks the world of Penn, and the older he gets, the more he sees him as the man he is, peeking to catch him naked, dreaming dirty dreams.
With Wilder getting older their bond is growing stronger, sometimes a bit awkward with strange feelings, but again, Penn is determined, uh-huh… also weak everything concerned Wilder.
On his eighteenth birthday, they got drunk…

It’s a short story, everything was going quite fast. I wished Penn was really more determined, I wanted more pining and more distance. My expectations felt different from what was presented, so I had to accommodate while reading. I wasn’t satisfied to be honest. Maybe because I read already a lot of taboo stories. Still, I enjoyed this one, the writing style was good. I can’t wait to find out what the author’s next step with Penn and Wilder will be.
Profile Image for Marie-Pierre.
204 reviews12 followers
March 16, 2023
What a sweet sweet taboo novella.

My only complaint is that there isn't more. And before you say anything, I know it's only part 1 of a duet, and that there WILL be more, but I still wish there were more to this first part, in between the chapters, to really deepen both MCs feelings/questionning.

I flew through this novella as soon as it became available and found I got attached to both MCs soo fast. I can't wait for May to read what happens next!

The fact that Penn is such a grounded person makes this story just very attractive to me. He was able to put everything in perspective, giving the story a perfect structure, all the while letting his needs take over his routine and give into his wilder side (see what I did here). Wilder, my sweet sweet wild child, just wants to be loved and cared for and he definately found his perfect match in Penn. I found him really mature and that was to be expected, having lived in the system for so long, he had no choice but to build himself a shell and very tall walls.

Loved these two.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Profile Image for Steph (Teacups & Tropes).
838 reviews119 followers
March 8, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This had me hooked from the first chapter. I'm totally invested in these characters and this story. But it's too SHORT AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE SECOND PART UGH. I need it now.

Just an FYI if you didn't see my tag: This is a taboo story that is between a father and son. They are biologically related so if you're not into taboo, this probably isn't the one for you to pick up. But if you are, you can find it on Smashwords and I highly recommend purchasing it!
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,577 reviews47 followers
March 16, 2023
Son of a Sinner is the first book in the Family Sins duet. I liked their story and can’t wait to read the second part of it. I would have loved a little more about their first 2 years but overall it was a read I enjoyed.
Profile Image for Joseph.
1,453 reviews40 followers
May 22, 2023
This was such a poorly written book. Racing through things (the son is 16 then quickly 17 and then turning 18, all within a few pages), a really, really shitty manipulative father, a father who treated his first foster kids as throwaways, and then a father who lets his underage son get drunk in public.

Janet(iamltr)'s review hit all the points for me and she's much more eloquent than I am.
Profile Image for ✨Lucy  IntheSky☄️.
1,018 reviews139 followers
September 19, 2023
I definitely needed a palate cleanser and I've had this duet for a while now, so since it's taboo - incest - my most definite forbidden pleasure -, I couldn't wait to give it a try.

🔴 Taboo / incest
🟢 Father / son (but they don't know it yet)
🟣 Dual POV!

I'm giving this first installment 3.5⭐, because it somehow didn't convince me for rating it more.

The story is about Wilde, who was an orphan child, being in the system since he was born and Penn, a mature guy, out of a divorce, always wanting a kid, but couldn't get that fantasy of having a home, kids and a picket fence, so at some point he starts fostering.

Wilde lands on his lap at 16 years old and they have a really good, friendly foster dad / foster parent relationship, until Wilde can't take it anymore and occasionally starts showing Penn he wants more.

When he turns 18, they finally get intimate, Penn gives in and they begin their Daddy/boy bedroom fantasy, but a DNA testing at Wilde's school puts a damp on things and now they're waiting for the results of their possible familial bond, so that's where the book ends.

I loved both characters, loved the setting, their dialogues and events as they followed, the spice was pretty damn good too.

What I didn't get in this book was more of that relationship development up until Wilde turns 18, because it felt he has a crush out of the blue, with almost no build up.

I did feel with him, but not enough. Same goes for Penn. The book should've been a bit longer and what was covered in the majority of the book, should've been done in the first half.

Hopefully the second part gets better.

It's probably coincidental, but the duet reminds me a bit of O. Hywell's same father/son duo, only a few minor details have been tweaked. The naming is also almost the same.
Profile Image for Joanne Mccorkell.
1,492 reviews12 followers
March 9, 2023
Eek. Im mixed in this review. Based on what I read soley and not how the book ends and hints at.....
We have Penn, with a biological clock ticking away. Hes always wanted to be a father, but didnt consider fostering or adoption as an option. When hes brought Wilder, he sees a teen that has been ignored and forgotten about. It brings out his paternal instincts.... we see this clearly to begin with. When the story jumps forward Penns attitude has changed, theres no apparent reason.

Wilder has been ignored most of his life. He walks into this new foster home with expectation that he would sent back. When he hears Penn fight to keep him, he vows to be everything to Penn..... in the jump, Wilder seems to be pushing for the relationship to be more. Not a father/son relationship.... but a daddy/boy dynamic.

Using this part of the book, Penn is only Wilders foster father. Not a blood relative and while the fact that he techinically raised Wilder for 2 years, they could have a relationship but it could be considered that Penn would have cocerced Wilder, as if he held some power over Wilder. As a reader we see its the other way around. At this point its not really incest but a power play.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Michelle.
67 reviews4 followers
March 3, 2023
*ARC Copy**

Raquel never fails to leave me speechless with any of her books...always has a scene somewhere in each book that has you like okay I did not see that coming...at the very beginning my heart breaks for Penn...him wanting to be a dad..it is the one thing he truly dreamed to be and his wife shut down that for him...15 years later and divorced, he finds a solution to become a dad through adoption through fostering...he has a couple times where he is able to have kids in his home that doesn't work out and another chance comes along to help a 16 year old boy, Wilder...he is an amazing dad...being the one thing that Wilder has never had someone who loves him and cares for his needs...over the next two years things change in both of their eyes...when Wilder turns 18, Penn gives into him...and the connection and the steam that they have is off the charts.. Wild has a project due and that project shifts everything in Penn's eyes...this one ends in a cliffie and had me saying Noooooo I need more...but Raquel definitely left it in a good place...
Profile Image for Jennifer Reilley.
1,116 reviews28 followers
March 7, 2023
Raquel wrote two very likable characters that drew me into their story.

Penn is lonely and missing out on having children after he got divorced. He decides to adopt.

Wilder is 16 years old when he is placed with Penn. He has never felt loved and bounced around in the system. He definitely bonds with Penn and develops feelings that one should not for their father as does Penn for his son.

This book was super spicy with for sure taboo feeling involved. I definitely saw the twist coming but look forward to the second book of how they now navigate the future.
Profile Image for 25 Readings Or More.
736 reviews157 followers
March 21, 2024
𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑶𝒏𝒆 ➪ ★★★★
𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑻𝒘𝒐 ➪ ★★★

I really loved book one....
How could i not??
The way Penn felt lonely and sad before Wild came into his life, the way Wild thought no one would have loved him, my baby boy 🥺 how they fell from each other.....plus i'm a goner for older men and Daddy Kink, and the taboo aspect of their relationship so it was a win win for me.
That’s why i couldn't wait to read the second book, but i have to say i lost interest after few chapters.
I mean Penn and Wild' relationship is swoony and i loved them, however a part from few key moments and some really, like really, hot scenes, everything felt a bit boring. It was like the longest epilogue ever. I would have cut some chapter and made it in one book. It would have worked better for me.

In the end it's a good duet and i liked the author style so i'm gonna def read more from her. Starting with Austin and Marcus' story 😌
Profile Image for Kassandra  Knight.
1,367 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2023
I absofreakinglutely loved it.

I wasn’t aware this was only part of the story and was just expecting one of those books where it ends abruptly and that’s all you get. I’m pleasantly surprised to find out there’s a second part but I’m sad I have to wait. I definitely added the book to my wish list.

I believe Raquel is a new-to-me author and I really enjoyed the writing.

Highly recommend but just know it ends on a soft cliffhanger.

I received a free copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and am voluntarily leaving a review.
181 reviews
March 16, 2023
This book was interesting I wasn’t expecting so much build up to what happened but it was fun to see why Penn decided to adopt/foster children and how he and wild’s relationship was built and the care they have for each other growing stronger once Wild realized he could trust Penn and I’m interested to see what happens next
Profile Image for book_reader_addict.
546 reviews25 followers
May 20, 2023
Wow🤩🤩 This book is filthy good! The first book in a while that I could not put down!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Profile Image for Calypso Jade.
39 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2024
Loved this book. It's very taboo but sweet at the same time. I loved Penn and Wilder. Their relationship is so strong, almost from the beginning. Divorced and single Penn quits drinking in order to start fostering kids. A few don't work out, and then he gets Wilder, a 16 year old trouble maker. Penn accepts him, and their bond grows. Then something unexpected happens, and things change before a shock that changes things again. It's very well written, and Wilder is a snarky boy. I'm now reading the sequel sins of my father.
Profile Image for camms.bookshelf.
400 reviews25 followers
July 16, 2024
I came to review this duet and I’m a bit shocked at the low reviews. The writing was excellent! It’s taboo books between a father and son and a work of fiction which I assume most know upon purchase.

Here’s my review! It was f’ing fantastic! Wilder is a hot mess going after the person he wants. Penn, the father(foster at first), is so lost and guilty but Wild wasn’t having it. Raquel brings the heat in book 2! Anyone that follows my reviews knows I don’t do book summaries but I can say this… it was as real an adaptation of a taboo situation as I’ve read. Excellent job!
Profile Image for Crazy4bookscruz.
594 reviews40 followers
March 21, 2024
This was such a good start and an interesting story line! I was sucked in immediately through the trials of Penns life and addition of Wilder. So ready for book 2!
Profile Image for CAROLINA.
343 reviews
March 12, 2023
*contains some mild spoilers*

This story has some inconsistencies, starting at the blurb suggesting things we don't see in the book. How is Wilder demisexual? This is never even mentioned in the book. The blurb also fails to explain that this is a foster home situation and that it ends in a major cliffhanger.

Reading along, there are many issues that bothered me, like the MCs bonding within 2 days, Penn wanting to buy Wilder everything he wants from his "favorite stores", or how fast Wilder trusted Penn, even though Penn had never dealt with a teen before, let alone one with all the issues that Wilder had. It lacked relationship development, to say the least.

But what bothered me the most was Wilder's POV. He didn't read like a 16-yo at all. There's no way a teen has that much insight and understanding about their feelings or their emotional needs. There's no way a teen will behave a certain way because the adult caring for them deserves it. Sorry, but no.

Then we jump almost 2 years ahead and we learn that during this time their relationship started shifting, but we are only told, so we don't feel it happening. We don't know anything about their routine, their dynamic, their personal lives, Wilder's friends... Then we have more issues, like Penn letting Wilder drink alcohol in a restaurant and then letting him drive home after that.

At the end, I was left not knowing if the author was trying to deliver a romance or a light erotica story.
Profile Image for Jenn ReadsBooks.
300 reviews15 followers
March 8, 2023
After receiving a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes, I flew through it in less than 2 hours. I don’t usually go for the taboo books, but loving Raquel’s other works, I knew I needed to give this a read. I was not disappointed.

Penn and Wild are beautiful together and you don’t feel uncomfortable with their relationship at any point. The building of their connection wasn’t rushed and you find yourself rooting for them, wanting them to be happy together regardless of how weird it might look or feel to others. I can’t wait for the second part!!

Please note that it does end on a cliffhanger, so if you’re not into that, wait til the second book comes out and read them together!
Profile Image for Jeanette Buck.
340 reviews15 followers
March 4, 2023
This is a bit different to what Raquel normally write so I wasn't sure what to expect from this story but it grabbed me from the start. In this story we meet 40 year old Penn who is lonely and is desperate for a family. He ends up fostering 16 year old Wilder. Over the next couple of years they develop a lovely relationship but they both have feelings for each other but it's kept respectful and nothing happens before Wilder is 18. As a part of wilder's homework they do do a DNA test which shows they are father/son. It ends on a cliffhanger when they await the result of a proper DNA test. I can't wait to read book two.
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